Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on the nation to
maintain religious pluralism and tolerance, rather than exploiting
religious differences to stoke sectarian violence.
Addressing more than 300 religious leaders, experts and
observers participating in an international conference on religion
and peace here on Monday, the President urged that efforts be made
to develop religious pluralism, so that it would improve the life
of the nation and bring prosperity to the people.
"In the numerous crises and conflicts now taking place,
religious differences that have risen to the surface have
frequently been used as reasons by the conflicting sides, and even
as justification for their actions. This situation challenges us
to review the format, character and dynamics of our society,"
she said.
Attending the seminar were 120 religious leaders and experts
from 24 Asian countries, 58 honorary delegates and 145
international observers.
The President was referring to sectarian conflicts in the
Central Sulawesi town of Poso and in Maluku, and the bombings that
have occurred at places of worship across the nation.
The government and security authorities have been under fire
for their inability to enforce the law, which has prolonged the
conflicts in Maluku and Poso. Also, the government has never
announced the results of its investigation into the bomb blasts
that took place at a number of churches during Christmas, 2001.
Megawati told the participants that for religious pluralism to
survive and thrive, a common attitude and tolerance had to be
established.
"In my perception, religious tolerance is promoted in the
teachings of most religions," the President said.
She said Islam orders its adherents to love, understand and
cooperate with one another, as well as teaching equality, common
interests, unanimity, hard work, honesty, wisdom and
responsibility.
"I believe other religions have similar concepts as
well," she said.
The President said pluralism would never negate religious
identity or freedom of religion, because each religion has its own
freedom and way of implementing its teachings.
Megawati said she hoped dialog and reconciliation would be
emphasized in resolving the current sectarian conflicts in the
country.
"The world is waiting for concrete action to create a more
democratic, peaceful and prosperous life, based on social justice
and humanity," she said.
Religious leaders and intellectuals must play a role in
creating peace and prosperity, the President said.
Commenting of the President's statement, noted Christian
scholar Th. Sumartana said that relying merely on religion to
resolve social conflicts was utopian thinking.
"Social conflicts such as those in Maluku and Poso require
simultaneous efforts in the legal, economic, political and
religious fields," he told The Jakarta Post.
"The goodwill of the leaders of the conflicting
communities will be useless if it is always negated by the
interests of politicians and others within the government. Firm
measures by the government are badly needed here as the security
forces have to be handled correctly, especially the Indonesian
Military (TNI).
Meanwhile, chairman of the country's second largest Muslim
organization Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Syafi'i Maarif, said the leaders'
words did not reflect the reality.
"That's our fundamental weakness as a nation. Leaders are
not really aware of what they tell the public. They are not aware
that the reality -- like what's really happening in conflict-torn
areas -- needs concrete decisions," Syafi'i told the Post.
Corruption and worsening security conditions in conflict areas
which had not yet recovered were, in fact, caused by the absence
of firm action on the part of both the central and local
governments, he said.
"The President's suggestion that religious leaders should
play an important and crucial role in conflict resolution is good.
We, along with the Nahdlatul Ulama (the largest Muslim
organization) have worked to build close ties with other
religions," he said.
The conference will last until June 28. Similar conferences
were held earlier in Singapore, India, South Korea, Nepal and
Thailand.